The Ladies
of the
G.A.R. Home
First home for veterans in the State of Minnesota - Grand Army of the Republic
Serving Civil War Veterans and their families
The Anoka Union.....August 17, 1898
Anoka Secures an Institution Which
Will Be of the Greatest Advantage
to Her.
The Ladies of the G.A.R. Very Wisely
Select Our City in Which to
Locate Their Home.
Anoka has secured an institution which will be of great value to her. The state association of the Ladies of the G.A.R.
have in contemplation the building of a home for the veterans, which would also receive their families, thus doing away
with the objection attaching to other soldiers homes, of separating families.
A committee of ten ladies, of which Mrs. Amanda I. Wethern of Anoka is one, was appointed to look over and report
on suitable locations in different parts of the state. The chairman of the committee is Mrs. A.T. Anderson, and
one of its members is Mrs. Julia F. Lobdell, the president of the state association. The ladies of this committee
arrived in Anoka yesterday morning, and at once proceeded to inspect the sites offered by Anoka for their consideration.
Of these, they selected a tract of land situated east of the old cemetery, on Main street. It comprises four acres, to
which the city agrees to add another acre, making five in all. At the business meeting held after inspecting the sites,
it was unanimously decided that the Soldiers' Home should be built at Anoka, on the location selected, and that all the
material and labor required should be obtained at Anoka, so far as possible.
The articles of incorporation of the Home board were adopted and signed, it being provided therein that any one may become
an honorary member of the board for the space of one year, upon payment of $1, and may become an honorary life member
upon payment of $10. Mrs. Nellie Bloomer of the home committee immediately paid $1 for her husband, thus making him
the first honorary member of the corporation for building the Soldiers' Home. It is peculiarly appropriate that Capt. Bloomer
should have this distinction, as it was he who organized the J.S. Cady post in Anoka. As will be seen in another column,
the board solicits honorary members from Anoka and vicinity, and we have no doubt that this call will be promptly and
liberally responded to.
After the business meeting the ladies of the local association served an elaborate lunch to the visitors and some
Anoka friends whom they had kindly invited to meet the visiting committee. This is composed of charming ladies,
whose manners and appearance are as charming as their judgment in locations is good, and all who had the
privilege of making their acquaintance are glad to have had the opportunity of seeing them. The Home committee,
upon whom devolved the task of choosing a suitable site, are Mesdames, Amanda T. Anderson, Carrie A. Fletcher,
Julia E.F. Lobdell, Flora M. Davey, Amanda I. Wethern, Nellie Bloomer, Sue E. Stine, Helen Irish and Francis Hinkle.
It is intended that the home shall be built upon the cottage plan and the board hopes to build one or two cottages
this fall, adding more in following years, until the limit of architectural beauty and convenience is reached.
The building of the home here will be a great thing for Anoka, which should be grateful to Mrs. Wethern, to
whose efforts in bringing the advantages of Anoka before the committee, its selection is principally due.
Our city has no superior as a location for such institutions, and now that this fact has been recognized so
emphatically, we may hope that others may follow. We append the resolutions adopted at the close of the business
meeting.
Resolved, that the gratitude of the ladies of the home committee, and in fact every member of the order in this
department are due to Judge Hicks of Minneapolis, for legal services rendered this organization in drawing up
"Articles of Incorporation" and giving valuable information on many points of law.
Resolved, that the Department of Minnesota Ladies of the G.A.R., feel that words are inadequate to express to
the citizens of the city of Anoka their gratitude for the magnificent gift tendered us (without restrictions) the
site comprising five acres of valuable land, on which to erect the first tangible tribute of our love and care for
the needy veterans' dependent ones, as well as the old soldier himself, the Ladies of the G.A.R. Home.
Resolved, that we, the members of the Ladies of the G.A.R. Home committee, extend to Sister Amanda I. Wethern
our most heartfelt thanks for her untiring efforts to obtain for the Ladies of the G.A.R. a site for a home.
Resolved also, that thanks are due the mayor and members of the city council of Anoka for the many courtesies
extended in furnishing carriages and accompanying the committee, giving valuable information and pointing out
places of interest.
To comrade Judge W.W. Fitch for recognized as one of the largest, best and most efficient in the state.
It has not only made a name for itself but our city; for the name Queen City has been enhanced and had added
unto it more queenliness and gracefulness by the work which has been performed so creditably and with so
much honor the city. May the Woman's club live long, and ever continue as it now is, an invaluable aid to
our merchants.
*******************************************************
Homes For Aged Veterans...Located At Anoka, Minnesota...Anoka County Union, October 15, 1902
Here are located the cottages of the Ladies of the G.A.R. Home board. Two cottages have already been built and are
now occupied, and one more has been ordered built, and plans are now being drawn for others. There are few
people in the state, who realize what the ladies' home board is doing and has done. Many an old soldier, as the
years come and go, finds himself unable to earn a livelihood for himself and aged wife. The future seems dark,
as the only way out is the soldiers' home for himself and the poor house for his wife. To be torn apart after
working hand in hand for many years is a sad situation. So sad, that the ladies' home board was organized, that
such might not be the fate of the old veteran-whose pension, together with the free rent of a house in a community
whose necessaries can be obtained at the least possible cost, would be all that his old age demanded, and where he
could spend his last years in quiet contentment with his sweetheart of years ago, who smiles the same on him
today, as she did when he shouldered arms for this country's good.
The officers of the board are: Mrs. Amanda T. Anderson, president, Minneapolis; Mrs. Hattie F. Works,
treasuer, Anoka. There are six directors, viz: Mariion B. Mullen, Wabasha; Zoe I Clark, Minneapolis;
Rhoda J. Carpenter, Minneapolis; Bertha Webster, Duluth; Adelade V. Norstrom, Pine City; and
Della W. Norton, Minneapolis.
The advisory board comprises hon. C.T. Trowbridge, custodian, St. Paul; Matthew Taylor, Hennepin county,
and J.H. Mullen, Wabasha.
The articles of incorporation call for homes, not only for the old soldiers and wives, but for soldiers' wives,
their widows and their mothers.
Mrs. Belle Faber, of Anoka, is assistant superintendent, and is president of the home circle of the
Ladies of the G.A.R. To the interest of the home circle, not a home of the credit of success is due.
Mrs. Marian Mullen of Wabasha, is department president.
The cottages now completed and occupied each contain four rooms and the society owns six acres of land within
the city limits, on which new cottages are to be built.
***********************************************************
Anoka County Union...November 20, 1907
Anoka the Only City to Have Homes
for the G.A.R. People
The fifth of the Ladies of the G.A.R. cottages has been completed and already has a few tenants. It will be used
especially as a hospital, being equipped with all the modern conveniences, "so that the sick may be given
every attention necessary." Mrs. A.T. Anderson of Minneapolis, who is a member of the Home Board, was very
active in the planning and arranging of the hospital and it has been named for her.
Mrs. Mary M. Bigelow of Santiago, Cal., is the matron in charge.
The cottage was built at a cost of about $2,800, and has the prettiest exterior of any. The front has a wide porch
with cement floor and heavy pillars supported by cement blocks.
It contains eleven rooms besides the bathrooms, trunk rooms and closets, and linen wardrobes. Every bit
of available space has been utilized and the rooms are very conveniently arranged.
A large hall runs the length of the first floor, from which all other rooms open. The hall is furnished and frescoed
in a beautiful reddish brown tint, while the other rooms are frescoed in ecru for the side walls, with cream ceilings.
All the rooms have picture moldings and are well furnished. White iron beds and new oak furniture give a dainty
touch to the sleeping apartments. There are hard wood floors throughout the building. The rooms on the second
floor will be furnished to correspond with those below. The cottage is heated by a furnace, has hot and cold water and
telephone. The basement is commodious and will be used as a laundry. Stationary wash tubs have been installed here.
All in all the cottage is a model of simplicity, beauty and convenience. As yet no pictures adorn its walls, and it
remains for some generous citizen to make a donation of such; not a second hand picture, but one of recent date
which will fittingly grace the rooms and be a source of joy to the inmates.
The Ladies of the G.A.R. of Minnesota, may justly be proud of all their cottages. Anoka is the only place in
this state where this plan is carried out.
*******************************************************************
Anoka County Union.....January 16, 1918
LADIES INSTALLED
Mary A. Livermore Circle Held interesting
Exercises Saturday
Mary A. Livermore Circle Ladies of the G.A.R. installed the following officers Saturday, at their ball.
President - Viola Cowden
Senior Vice - Irene Dimmick
Junior Vice - Rose Wilhelm
Chaplain - Hattie Rogers
Sec. Belle Macomber
Treas. - Bertha Pierce
Con. - Ada Smith
G. - Viola Cooper
A.C. - Mattie Saffell
A.G. - Rebecca Eden
Patriotic Instructor - LeElla Pribble
Mrs. T.J. Abbett had on exhibition bread made from the new war flour, and she gave a splendid talk on Red Cross
and conservation.
Levi Longfellow, department instructor, spoke eloquently on the war.
Mrs. June Saunders spoke at length on the G.A.R. home.
Mrs. Belle Macomber acted as installing officer. About 75 were present.
*****************************************************
Anoka County Union......1962
Anoka G.A.R. Home
to Close February 1
by: Dorothy Kuesel
The Anoka home of the Ladies of the G.A.R. a local landmark since 1898, may be vacated by the first of February in
compliance with the order of the state fire marshal's office.
Ruling of the fire marshal as presented to the Home Board of the GAR organization early this month was that
fire protection equipment estimated at $10,000 be installed, or that the premises be vacated as a boarding home
within 60 days.
Equipment specified included a $6,000 minimum sprinkler system, complete rewiring of the 25 room building,
fire resistant remodeling of the furnace room, installation of fire doors and addition of another stairway.
The West Main St. landmark is located on land which reverts to the City of Anoka when the GAR Ladies give
up their home, under terms of an agreement made when the city donated the land at the turn of the century.
The building and all furnishings belong to the organization. The decision to close the home came as a surprise
to city officials, who have no announced plans for the property.
The home now occupies a wedge-shaped parcel of land fronting 309 feet on West Main St., 526 feet deep and
decreasing to less than 200 feet across the back, all that the organization has retained of the original
five acre tract.
Regrets of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic organization were expressed by department
president, Mrs. Cora McCann of Minneapolis. "We feel very unhappy about this," Mrs. McCann said this week
"but we simply don't have the money to meet these requirement."
There are approximately 600 Ladies of the GAR within the state. All are related to veterans of the Union Army of
the Civil War. Most are daughters or granddaughters of Union veterans. All residents of the GAR Ladies
home were members of that organization before entering the boarding home.
Remaining residents are being resettled as quickly as possible, according to Mrs. Carrie Johnson, for the
past eight years supervisor of the home and presently acting matron.
Most of GAR ladies are welfare pensioners, averaging 80 years of age. The Anoka county welfare office reports
excellent cooperation from residents' families and local people in finding new homes.
Final plans for disposal are not completed, but Mrs. McCann indicated that furnishings would be sold, either
at auction or public sale, as soon as the remaining residents are placed in other homes.
Capacity of the home has been 26 residents, with staff of eight.
*****************************************************************
NOTE: The site of the former G.A.R. home was sold to
Main Motor Sales in October, 1963.